Combination wheel and valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A combination wheel and valve assembly has a plurality of spokes each having at least one aperture through a rim-end thereof. A rim has an inner surface and a spoke mating element opposite the inner surface. A plurality of through-holes extend through the spoke mating element of the rim. A plurality of bolts are shaped to fit through the aperture of the rim-end of each of the spokes, and into one of the plurality of through-holes of the spoke mating element, to fasten each spoke to the rim. A conduit extends through the inner surface of the rim to one of the through-holes of the rim, such that a valve assembly can extend through the aperture of one of the spokes and engage the through-hole having the conduit, thereby enabling fluid flow through the valve assembly and the conduit to the inner surface of the rim.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent is a continuation-in-part ofpreviously filed utility patent application Ser. No. 11/274,891, filedNov. 15, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,427,110, which was acontinuation-in-part of previously filed utility patent application Ser.No. 10/942,511, filed Sep. 16, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,964,454.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wheels, and more particularly to acombination wheel and valve assembly that enables easier installation ofa valve assembly in a custom wheel.

2. Description of Related Art

Wheels and wheel covers have been developed with spinning ornamentalcomponents (i.e., spinners) that rotate independent of the wheels. Suchwheels and wheel covers provide observers with attention-gettingillusions. For example, when a vehicle with such wheels or wheel coversis moving and the wheels are rotating, the spinners may be rotating veryslowly or not at all, providing observers with the illusion that thewheels are rotating slowly or not at all. Further, when the vehiclecomes to a stop and the wheels stop rotating, the spinners may continueto rotate, providing observers with the illusion that the wheels arestill rotating.

Examples of spinners include the following: Fitzgerald, U.S. Pat. No.6,663,187, teaches a free wheeling spinner mountable on a wheel by meansof an adapter for accommodating wheels with similar bolt patterns andvarying diameters. The spinner is mounted to the adapter by means of abearing of inner and outer races secured respectively to the adapter andthe spinner. Elongated lug nuts having a threaded free end receive boltsfor securing the adapter to the automobile wheel.

Fowlkes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,370, teaches a wheel spinner assembly thatis mountable onto a corresponding wheel of a vehicle. The assemblyincludes a wheel mount supportable by the wheel. A spinner mount isconnected to the wheel mount. A bearing assembly is supported by thespinner mount. A spinner is supported by the bearing assembly, whereinthe bearing assembly allows the spinner to rotate independently relativeto the corresponding wheel as the vehicle is in motion.

Other patents of interest include Marshall, U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,958,Gragg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,094, Butler, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,906,Green, U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,785, Lees, U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,284, andRussell, U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,049.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and usewhich give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a combination wheel and valve assemblythat includes a plurality of spokes each having at least one aperturethrough a rim-end thereof; a rim having an inner surface and a spokemating element opposite the inner surface; a plurality of through-holesextending through the spoke mating element of the rim, the plurality ofthrough-holes being spaced around the rim; a plurality of bolts shapedto fit through the aperture of the rim-end of each of the spokes, andinto one of the plurality of through-holes of the spoke mating element,to fasten each spoke to the rim; a conduit extending through the innersurface of the rim to one of the through-holes of the rim; and a valveassembly shaped to extend through the aperture of one of the spokes andengage the through-hole having the conduit, thereby enabling fluid flowthrough the valve assembly, and the conduit, to the inner surface of therim.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combinationwheel and valve assembly having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a combination wheel and valve assemblythat facilitates installation of a valve assembly in a custom wheel.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In suchdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wheel having aspinner assembly rotatably mounted between a pair of supports;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the spinner assembly ofFIG. 1 and an associated tube of the wheel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spinner assembly and the associatedtube of FIG. 2 in assembly and as indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the wheel of FIG. 1 depictinga step of an assembly method wherein the spinner assembly is rotatablymounted to one of the supports via the tube;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the wheel of FIG. 1 depictinganother step of the assembly method wherein the other support isconnected a side surface of a rim such that the spinner assembly isrotatably mounted between the supports;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a central portion of the wheel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the wheel of FIG. 1 asindicated by lines 7-7 in FIG. 1, illustrating a mechanism used toconnect spokes of supports to respective side surfaces of a rim, whereinthe mechanism includes an internally threaded tube and a pair of bolts;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of acentral hub portion of one of the pair of supports, illustrating a waterseal;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of thespinner assembly adapted for use with the water seal shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating analternative embodiment of the mechanism used to connect the spokes ofthe supports to the respective side surfaces of the rim, wherein themechanism includes a barrel bolt assembly;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a spinner lockingmechanism;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the spinnerlocking mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the spinner locking mechanismbeing used to lock the center spinner in a first position, wherein thespinner is positioned between the side supports;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the spinner locking mechanismbeing used to lock the center spinner in a second position, wherein thespinner is positioned behind the side supports;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a valveassembly that is adapted to be positioned through the rim;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating analternative embodiment wherein the wheel includes a center portion thatis not adapted to spin relative to an outer housing;

FIG. 17 is one perspective view of another embodiment of the valveassembly;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the valve assembly of FIG. 17;and

FIG. 19 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15, illustrating how thevalve assembly of FIG. 17 is positioned into the rim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wheel 10 having aspinner assembly 12 rotatably mounted between a pair of supports 14A and14B. The first support 14A has a first axis 16, and the second support14B has a second axis 18. The first support 14A is connected to a sidesurface 20A of a rim 24. An opposed side surface 20B, shown in FIG. 7,is connected to the second support 14B. The rim 24 has an outer surface26 adapted to receive a tire (not shown). The rim 24 has a third axis28, and the spinner assembly 12 has a fourth axis 30. As indicated inFIG. 1, the spinner assembly 12 is rotatably mounted between the firstand second supports 14A and 14B such that the axes 16 and 18 of therespective supports 14A and 14B, the axis 28 of the rim 24, and the axis30 of the spinner assembly 12 are all aligned.

The first support 14A is visible in FIG. 1, and in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 the second support 14B is substantially identical. In general,the first support 14A has a central hub portion and a spanning portionextending from the hub portion, wherein the spanning portion is adaptedfor connection to the side surface 20A of the rim 24. In the embodimentof FIG. 1 the spanning portion of the first support 14A includesmultiple spokes 32, wherein each of the spokes 32 is adapted forconnection to the side surface 20A of the rim 24.

While this structure illustrates one embodiment of the wheel 10, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the first and second supports 14Aand 14B could have a wide variety of structures and still remain withinthe scope of the present invention, as claimed. The first and secondsupports 14A and 14B are not required to be identical, and they are notrequired to have any particular structure, except as required for thestructural stability of the wheel 10. A wide variety of shapes, designs,or other features could be incorporated without deviating from theinvention as claimed.

In general, the spinner assembly includes a central hub portion and adecorative portion extending from the hub portion. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the decorative portion may include multiple arms 34, whereineach of the arms 34 resembles one of the spokes 32. However, as with thefirst and second supports 14A and 14B described above, the decorativeportion could include any number of shapes, designs, or other featuresthat enhance the ornamental design of the wheel 10.

In general, the spinner assembly 12 rotates about the axis 30independent of other components of the wheel 10. When a vehicleincluding the wheel 10 is moving and the rim 24 and the connectedsupports 14A and 14B are rotating, the spinner assembly 12 may berotating very slowly or not at all; further, when the vehicle comes to astop and the rim 24 and the connected supports 14A and 14B are notrotating, the spinner assembly 12 may continue to rotate. The contrastbetween the rates of rotation of the spinner assembly 12 and the rim 24and the connected supports 14A and 14B, provides a unique visual effect.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the wheel 10 has a hole 36 extendingthrough a central portion of the wheel 10 and dimensioned to receive anaxle rod (not shown) of a vehicle. As a result, the wheel 10 of FIG. 1is particularly suited for use on vehicles wherein wheels are attachedvia axle rods (e.g., motorcycles). As indicated in FIG. 1, the alignedaxes 16 and 18 of the respective supports 14A and 14B, 28 of the rim 24,and 30 of the spinner assembly 12 pass through the hole 36. While oneparticular embodiment of the wheel 10 is shown, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the wheel 10 can be adapted to almost any wheeledvehicle, including but not limited to cars, scooters, golf carts,skateboards, or indeed any form of wheeled vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the spinner assembly 12of FIG. 1 and an associated tube 50 of the wheel 10 of FIG. 1. A centralhub portion 52 of the spinner assembly 12 has a central aperture 54 thatis adapted to receive a pair of ball bearings 56A and 56B. A decorativeportion, in this embodiment the multiple arms 34, extends radiallyoutward from the hub portion 52. The tube 50 has a central opening 58dimensioned to receive the axle rod. The tube 50 has a predeterminedlength and functions as a spacer, and also keeps various components ofthe wheel 10 of FIG. 1 in alignment. Each of the ball bearings 56A and56B has a central opening, and in assembly the tube 50 passes throughthe central openings in each of the ball bearings 56A and 56B. (See FIG.3.)

It is noted that although bearings 56A and 56B are ball bearings in theembodiment of FIG. 2, other types of bearings may also be used. Further,although the embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a pair of ball bearings 56Aand 56B, other embodiments of the spinner assembly 12 may have a singlebearing, or more than 2 bearings, mounted in the central aperture 54.FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spinner assembly 12 and the associatedtube 50 of FIG. 2 in assembly and as indicated in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 will now be used to illustrate one embodiment of a methodfor assembling the wheel 10 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the second support 14Bhas already been connected (e.g., bolted) to the corresponding sidesurface of the rim 24. A hub extension 70 is connected to an outersurface 72 of a central hub portion 74 of the second support 14B. Asdescribed above, the second support 14B includes multiple spokes 32extending from the central hub portion 74. In the embodiment of FIG. 4,the central hub portion 74 has five holes 76 surrounding a centralaperture 78. Five bolts 80 are used to connect a side of the hubextension 70 to the outer surface 72 of a central hub portion 74 of thesecond support 14B. While bolts 80 are illustrated in the presentembodiment, additional connectors such as dowels (not shown) may also beadded to increase the strength of the connection, as is well known inthe art.

Connected to the central hub portion 74 of the second support 14B, thehub extension 70 forms a part of the second support 14B. The hubextension 70 has a hole 84 passing therethrough. The tube 50 has twoopposed ends, and mouth of the hole 84 in the side of the hub extension70 connected to the central hub portion 74 of the second support 14B isdimensioned to receive an end 50A of the tube 50. It is noted that thehub extension 70 may be adapted to receive a drive belt, a drive pulley,and/or a disk brake rotor.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the wheel 10 of FIG. 1depicting a step of the assembly method wherein the spinner assembly 12is rotatably mounted to the second support 14B via the tube 50 such thetube 50 passes through the central aperture 54 of the spinner assembly12 (see FIG. 2) and the end 50A of the tube 50 is received in the secondsupport 14B. In FIG. 4 the tube 50 has been passed through the centralopenings of the ball bearings 56A and 56B mounted in the centralaperture 54 of the spinner assembly 12. The end 50A of the tube 50 ispassed through the central aperture 78 of the second support 14B andinto the mouth of the hole 84 in the side of the hub extension 70 of thesecond support 14B. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 a ball bearing 82 ismounted in a mouth of the hole 84 in a side of the hub extension 70opposite the side connected to the central hub portion 74 of the secondsupport 14B.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the wheel 10 of FIG. 1depicting another step of the assembly method wherein the first support14A is connected the side surface 20A of the rim 24 such that an end 50Bof the tube 50, opposite the end 50A of FIG. 4, is received in the firstsupport 14A. A hub extension 100 is connected to an outer surface 102 ofa central hub portion 104 of the first support 14A. As described above,the first support 14A includes multiple spokes 32 extending from thecentral hub portion 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the central hubportion 104 has five holes 106 surrounding a central aperture 108. Fivebolts 110 are used to connect a side of the hub extension 100 to theouter surface 102 of the central hub portion 104 of the first support14A.

Connected to the central hub portion 104 of the first support 14A, thehub extension 100 forms a part of the first support 14A. The hubextension 100 has a hole 112 passing therethrough. A mouth of the hole112 in the side of the hub extension 100 connected to the central hubportion 104 of the first support 14A is dimensioned to receive the end50B of the tube 50.

The end 50B of the tube 50 is passed through the central aperture 108 ofthe first support 14A and into the mouth of the hole 112 in the side ofthe hub extension 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 a ball bearing 114 ismounted in a mouth of the hole 112 in a side of the hub extension 100opposite the side connected to the central hub portion 104 of the firstsupport 14A.

As described above, each of the spokes 32 is adapted for connection tothe side surface 20A of the rim 24. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, each ofthe spokes 32 has 4 holes 116 along an outer edge. As described in moredetail below, four holes extend through the rim 24 between the sidesurface 20A and an opposite side surface for each of the spokes 32, andan internally threaded tube is inserted into each of the holes. Toconnect one of the spokes 32 to the side surface 20A of the rim 24, eachof four bolts 118 is passed through a hole in the spoke 32 and threadedinto a corresponding one of the internally threaded tubes. After thespokes 32 of the first support 14A are connected to the side surface 20Aof the rim 24, the spinner assembly 12 is rotatably mounted between thesupports 14A and 14B.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a central portion of the wheel 10 of FIG.1, illustrating how the various components fit together in finalassembly.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the wheel 10 as indicated bylines 7-7 in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 illustrates the above described mechanismused to connect the spokes 32 of the supports 14A and 14B to therespective side surfaces of the rim 24 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 7 the sidesurface 20A has a step 140 shaped to receive and frictionally engage anouter edge of a spoke 32 of the first support 14A, and the opposite sidesurface, labeled 20B, has a step 142 shaped to receive an outer edge ofanother spoke 32 of the second support 14B. A hole extends through therim 24 between the side surfaces 20A and 20B, and an internally threadedtube 144 is positioned in the hole. To connect the spoke 32 of the firstsupport 14A to the side surface 20A, a bolt 146 is passed through acorresponding hole in the spoke 32 and threaded into an end of theinternally threaded tube 144. To connect the spoke 32 of the secondsupport 14B to the side surface 20B, a bolt 148 is passed through acorresponding hole in the spoke 32 and threaded into an opposite end ofthe internally threaded tube 144. After being threaded into oppositeends of the internally threaded tube 144, the bolts 146 and 148 may betightened simultaneously.

It is noted that an outer surface 150 of the spoke 32 of the firstsupport 14A may contact a corresponding surface 152 of the side surface20A, and an outer surface 154 of the spoke 32 of the second support 14Bmay contact a corresponding surface 156 of the side surface 20B, suchthat the tube 144 and the bolts 146 and 148 are not subjected tosignificant shear forces during use of the wheel 10. It is also notedthat although bearings 82 (FIGS. 4 and 6) and 114 (FIGS. 5 and 6) areball bearings in the embodiments shown and described, other types ofbearings may also be used.

While FIG. 7 illustrates one method of attaching the supports 14A and14B, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative attachmentmechanisms may also be used, and such alternatives should be consideredwithin the scope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of acentral hub portion 104 of one of the pair of supports 14A, illustratinga water seal 160. The water seal 160 may include a raised portion 161that is raised about 60/1000 inch, and a plurality of angled slots 162through the raised portion 161. The water seal 160 is adapted tointegrate with a channel 164 of the spinner assembly 12, as shown inFIG. 9. The raised portion 161 integrates with the channel 164 toexclude water and other contamination, and the angled slots 162 functionto sling water away from the interior of the spinner assembly 12.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating analternative embodiment of the mechanism 200 used to connect the spokes32 of the supports 14A and 14B to the respective side surfaces 20A and20B of the rim 24. In this embodiment, the mechanism 200 is a barrelbolt assembly that includes a bolt 202 having an internally threadedportion 204, and a screw 206 having an externally threaded portion 208adapted to threadedly engage the internally threaded portion 204.Similar barrel bolt assemblies are often referred to as “sex bolts.” Thebarrel bolt assembly 200 is positioned through a hole 210 for lockingthe spokes 32 onto the rim 24.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-14, the wheel 10 includes aspinner locking mechanism 220 for locking the spinner assembly 12 withone or more of the spokes 32 for locking the spinner assembly 12 inplace and preventing rotation.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a spinner lockingmechanism 220. In this embodiment, the spinner locking mechanism 220includes a locking arm 222 pivotally mounted on a pivot 224 of the spoke32. The locking arm 222 pivots between a first orientation, wherein thelocking arm 222 does not contact the spinner assembly 12, and a secondorientation, wherein the locking arm 222 engages a recess 226 in thespinner assembly 12.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the spinnerlocking mechanism 220, wherein the spinner locking mechanism 220includes a locking bolt 230 adapted to lock the spinner assembly 12 withthe spoke 32. In this embodiment, the locking bolt 230 is insertedthrough a first aperture 232 in one of the spokes 32, thorough a secondaperture 234 in the spinner assembly 12, and through a third aperture236 of the other of the spokes 32. A pin 238 or similar mechanism isused to lock the locking bolt 230 in place.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the spinner locking mechanism 220 mayinclude multiple locking bolts 230. In alternative embodiments, thespinner locking mechanism 220 may include only one element. FIG. 13illustrates the spinner locking mechanism 220 being used to lock thespinner assembly 12 in a first position, wherein the spinner assembly 12is positioned between the spokes 32 so that they do not significantlyoverlap. FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the spinner lockingmechanism 220 being used to lock the spinner assembly 12 in a secondposition, wherein the spinner assembly 12 is positioned behind thespokes 32 so that they overlap. This enables the user of the wheel 10 todetermine, to some extent, the shape and design of the wheel 10.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating a valveassembly 240 that is adapted to be positioned through the rim 24. Thevalve assembly 240 includes a stem 242 that is positioned within aconduit 244 that extends through one of the spokes 32 and through therim 24 to an inner surface 245 of the rim. A valve 246 is operablypositioned within the stem 242, and a cap 248 is adapted to threadedlyengage the stem 242. The other of the spokes 32 may include aninternally threaded bore 252 so that a false screw 250 can be mounted onthe other of the spokes 32 to simulate the other screws of the wheel 10.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating analternative embodiment wherein the wheel 10 includes a center portion260 that is not adapted to spin relative to an outer encapsulations 262and 264. The outer encapsulations 262 and 264 may be mounted on astandard hub 269 with bolts 266 and 268, or similar mounting elements.The center portion 260 extends to a standard rim 270. This embodiment isimportant because it maintains the unique 3-D appearance of theinvention, albeit without the spinning feature of the inner portion. Theouter encapsulations 262 and 264 may be removed to facilitate painting,electroplating, etching, or otherwise embellishing the center portion260.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views of another embodiment of the valveassembly 240. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the valve assembly 240is shaped and adapted to engage the wheel described above for inflatingthe tire (not shown). As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the valveassembly 240 may include the valve 246 operably positioned within thestem 242 for regulating airflow therethrough, as is well known in theart. The valve assembly 240 may also include a middle portion 310 thatis adapted to abut the rim 24, and an engaging element 318 for engagingthe valve assembly 240 through the spoke 32 and into the rim 24.

The valve assembly 240 may further include an airflow aperture 312 orapertures that communicate with the stem 242. A first sealing element314 and a second sealing element 316 are adapted to seal on either sideof the conduit 244 so that airflow from the airflow aperture 312 isrestricted to the conduit 244. The first and second sealing elements 314may be, for example, O-rings or similar sealing structures known in theart.

The engaging element 318 may be, for example, a cylindrical chamberhaving an internally threaded surface 320 that is adapted to threadedlyengage the bolt 118. As the bolt 118 is tightened, it draws the valveassembly 240 into the rim 24 until the second sealing element 316 andthe middle portion 310 abuts the spoke mating element 304 of the rim 24.

In alternative embodiments, the engaging element may be an externallythreaded surface (not shown) of the valve assembly 240 for threadedlyengaging the spoke 32 and/or the rim 24. Additional embodiments may bedevised by those skilled in the art, and such alternatives should beconsidered within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 15, illustrating acombination wheel and valve assembly 5 that illustrates how the valveassembly 240 of FIGS. 17 and 18 is positioned in the rim 24 to form thecombination 5. As described above, the valve assembly 240 is adapted tobe positioned through one of the spokes 32 and into the rim 24.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, each of the plurality of spokes 32includes at least one aperture 300 through a rim-end 302 thereof. Therim 24 has the inner surface 245 and a spoke mating element 304 oppositethe inner surface 245. The spoke mating element 304 is adapted to abutthe spokes 32 such that the rim 24 is supported by the spokes 32, andwhile one possible embodiment is illustrated, alternative structures mayalso be utilized.

A plurality of through-holes 306 extending through the spoke matingelement 304 of the rim 24 so that the spokes 32 may be bolted orotherwise fastened to the rim 24. The plurality of through-holes 306 arespaced around the rim 24, and may be evenly spaced, spaced in groups, oreven spaced irregularly if this design or arrangement is desired. Aplurality of bolts 118 are shaped to fit through the aperture 300 of therim-end 302 of each of the spokes 32, and into one of the plurality ofthrough-holes 306 of the spoke mating element 304, to threadedly engagethe valve assembly 240. The structure of the bolts 118 may vary, asdescribed above.

Furthermore, while the though-holes 306 are illustrated as extendingentirely through the spoke mating element 304, they may alternatively betwo bores, or an equivalent structure, if the valve assembly 240 andbolt 118 threadedly engage the rim 24 and/or spoke 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, a conduit 244 extends through the innersurface 245 of the rim 24 to one of the through-holes 306 of the rim 24.The valve assembly 240 is shaped to extend through the aperture 300 ofone of the spokes 32 and engage the through-hole 306 having the conduit244, thereby enabling fluid (air) flow through the valve assembly 240,and the conduit 244, to the inner surface 245 of the rim 24, forinflating the tire (not shown).

The terminology used in the specification provided above is herebydefined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternativeembodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the artgiven the teachings of the present patent application. Additionally, thewords “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of thereferenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms“have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean“comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise.

While the invention has been described with reference to at least oneembodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the artthat the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of theinvention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appendedclaims.

1. A combination wheel and valve assembly, comprising: a plurality ofspokes each having at least one aperture through a rim-end thereof; arim having an inner surface and a spoke mating element opposite theinner surface; a plurality of through-holes extending through the spokemating element of the rim, the plurality of through-holes being spacedaround the rim; a plurality of bolts shaped to fit through the apertureof the rim-end of each of the spokes, and into one of the plurality ofthrough-holes of the spoke mating element, to fasten each spoke to therim; a conduit extending through the inner surface of the rim to one ofthe through-holes of the rim; and a valve assembly shaped to extendthrough the aperture of one of the spokes and engage the through-hole306 having the conduit 244, thereby enabling fluid flow through thevalve assembly, through the conduit 244, to the inner surface of therim.